Golf:Shane Lowry made great strides up the leaderboard on the final day of the BMW PGA Championship after a closing 67 moved him into a share of fourth in what the Clara golfer said was his "best performance as a professional".
The former Irish Open champion enjoyed a finish those at the top of the pile would pay good money for coming down the stretch.
On the revamped Wentworth layout - most notably the changes made to the par five 18th - Lowry closed with a birdie, birdie eagle finish to move up to two-under 282.
As it stands that would be good enough for a pay-day of €191,100 in the European Tour's flagship event. It also secures his playing rights for next season.
Lowry reached the turn in one-under 34 then dropped back to level after a bogey at the 12th. However the majestic finish catapulted the world number 223 up almost 18 places.
"I Knew I had been playing well all week, made a couple of mistakes early doors but was playing well enough and the last few holes are chances for me," enthused Lowry after his round.
"I don’t think I’ve ever played as good. That should definitely be my card kept. Probably my best week on tour so far, especially in this field and on this golf course.
I said to myself if I can finish under par for the tournament then I’ll definitely finish inside the top 10, which will give me a nice healthy cheque. I went out there and did that, albeit in the last three holes."
Like his beloved Manchester United last night, things didn't go according to plan for Rory McIlroy. The 22-year-old came back from the Wembley showpiece but could only manage a two-over 73 to finish three-over for the week.
Last week's winner Michael Hoey shot 69 to move up to four-over.
Like yesterday, Darren Clarke had an untidy afternoon and a 75 left the recent Iberdrola Open winner well down the field on six-over.
For a week that promised much, Clarke's effort fizzled out with weekend rounds of 74, 75. Two double-bogeys and two bogeys against two birdies did the damage for Clarke.
Gareth Maybin, after an 83 yesterday, ended a disappointing week with a 73 to finish 16-over.
At the business end, respective world number one and two, Lee Westwood (68) and Luke Donald (70) battled it out for honours and the €750,000 winner's cheque.
Both finished six-under 278 to force a sudden-death play-off which Donald won playing the 18th at the first time of asking. Westwood was fortunate to have a shot out after pushing his tee shot and both laid up to just less than 100 yards from the par five.
Donald spun his effort into eight feet while Westwood did similarly only for his ball to spin left and off the green and back into the water hazard. From there Donald duly rolled in the birdie putt and collected the top cheque. He also took over the world number one spot from his compatriot with the win.
Matteo Manassero, joint overnight leader with Donald, dropped back to one-under with a 75 while Simon Dyson took third with his 69.
